RC Passage-16

Reading comprehension involves a proof reading of a passage of about 300 – 1000 words and answering the questions that follow.

RC forms an important part of the verbal ability section. This section mainly focuses on to check the ability to understand the language and the underlying concept of the passage. The main focus should be to have a good command over the language as well as time management.

Make sure you attempt these passage on a regular basis and with complete seriousness.

Read the passage below and then answer the questions that follow.

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Passage: Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads etc.- these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture; which also provides sustenance to over half the country’s population. The “green revolution” of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country.
In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form).The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal. Since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise – water use. Especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land). Given the water rates, postharvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes, but at present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold-chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products – particularly, fruits and vegetables – but are non- existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all the farmers, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments.
Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely. Technology can provide a better cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices. Weather etc. are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology however the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus there is a pressing need for technology as currently economic growth though skewed and iniquitous – has created an economically attractive market in rural India

Bank PO RC: Passage-6

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Question 1

According to the author, which of the following is/ are the problem(s) facing India's rural population? (A) Unavailability of healthcare facilities. (B) The technological advancements which have been borrowed from abroad have not been suitably adapted to the Indian scenario. (C) Lack of awareness about the importance of utilising technology in the agricultural sector.

A

Only (A)

B

Only (C)

C

Both (A) and (B)

D

Both (A) and (C)

E

None of these

Question 1 Explanation:

Point (B) is not a problem that is faced by the rural sector. The other two are as mentioned in the passage. So, the answer is option (d).

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an impact of the green revolution?

A

Over utilisation of water resources

B

Application of Scientific research only in demonstration farms

C

Wealth creation restricted to certain areas

D

Damage caused to land by inordinate use of fertilisers

E

Supply of wheat surpassed Demand

Question 2 Explanation:

All the points are talked about in the first paragraph except point (b). Hence, point (b) is the correct option.

Question 3

Why is there no motivation to reduce power consumption?

A

Freely available renewable sources of energy

B

Government will have to subsidise the cost of technology required to reduce power consumption

C

Power distribution has been decentralized

D

The cost of implementing power saving technology is exorbitant for the customer.

E

None of these

Question 3 Explanation:

The answer is not present in the options. The correct answer can be found in the second paragraph ‘Technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal. since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized.’

Question 4

What effect will the implementation of postharvest technologies such as cold storages have?

A

Regulatory procedures will have to be more stringent

B

Prices of commodities like fruits and vegetables will fall since there is no wastage from spoilage

C

Incomes of rural population will fall

D

Pollution of the environment

E

None of these

Question 4 Explanation:

The answer is option (e) i.e. none of these. The main effect is ‘greatly enhance rural employment and income..’ which isn’t given in any of the options.

Advocate broadening the scope of research and use of technology in agriculture

Question 5 Explanation:

Advocate broadening the scope of research and use of technology in agriculture
The writer is asking us the main idea behind the passage. After analyzing the whole writing and reading it with focus we would understand it. The correct answers to questions like these requires good grasping and understanding power.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT true in the context of the passage? (A) In recent times the benefits of science and technology have not been felt in agriculture (B) The current means of rural transportation are ideal i.e. low cost and non- polluting (C) Agriculture provides livelihood to over 50 per cent of the Indian population.

A

Both (A) and (B)

B

Only (B)

C

Only (C)

D

Both (A) and (C)

E

None of these

Question 6 Explanation:

A straightforward answer as the author wants the current transportation to change, so the answer is option (b).

The correct answer is option (c). This can be seen in the passage as ‘However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments.’

Question 8

What is the role of mobile technology in the rural economy? (A) It will not play a large role since the technology is largely untested. (B) It provides opportunities for farmers to manipulate commodity prices. (C) It will largely be beneficial since such technology is cheap.

A

Both (A) and (C)

B

Only (A)

C

Both (B) and (C)

D

Only (B)

E

None of these

Question 8 Explanation:

The material regarding this answer is found in the last paragraph. The answer is picked from the line ‘..Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices. weather etc. are crucial for..’

Question 9

Which of the following is currently NOT a threat to the rural economy? (A) Inadequate rural infrastructure such as roads. (B) Excessive utilisation of technology. (C) Fluctuating power supply.

A

Only (C)

B

Only (A)

C

Both (B) and (C)

D

Only (B)

E

None of these

Question 9 Explanation:

This answer is not directly given but throughtout the passage it is only this message that is being aired. Hence, the correct option is option (d).

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage? (A) About 33 per cent of arable land in India is irrigated. (B) There is hardly any motivation to utilise technology to optimise water usage among farmers. (C) Climatic information can easily be made available to farmers.

A

All (A) (B) and (C)

B

Both (A) and (B)

C

Only (A)

D

Both (B) and (C)

E

None of these

Question 10 Explanation:

All these points are being talked about in different paragraphs. Hence, the correct option is option (a).

Question 11

Identify the correct synonym for the word wicked from the passage.

A

Potential

B

Skewed

C

Hereditary

D

Iniquitous

E

None of these

Question 11 Explanation:

The answer is iniquitous. It is a synonym of wicked.

Question 12

Identify the meaning of the dire in the passage.

A

Lack of justice or righteousness; wickedness.

B

Causing or involving great fear or suffering; terrible.

C

Showing signs of wear and tear.

D

To dart out or fly from cover.

E

None of these

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